Global mixed martial arts giant, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), is set to make history later this year by holding its inaugural event in the nation of Qatar. The organization confirmed Wednesday that it will partner with Visit Qatar to stage a UFC Fight Night on November 22nd, hosted at the ABHA Arena in Doha.
This marks a significant expansion for UFC within the Middle East region, building on its long-standing and successful presence in nearby Abu Dhabi. For years, fight fans have speculated about UFC venturing into new territories within the Gulf, and Qatar has now officially joined the list as a host nation for the premier MMA promotion.
UFC CEO Dana White commented on the move, indicating a broader global strategy:
“We`re going everywhere. We`ve been in Abu Dhabi for a long time and we`re starting to move around. Qatar is something we`ve been working on for a couple of years now, and we finally got something done.”
His remarks highlight the deliberate and multi-year effort behind securing a foothold in Qatar, leveraging the template established by the successful events in Abu Dhabi. White also referenced recent expansion steps into Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, painting a picture of a promotional force actively seeking new geographical frontiers.
From Qatar`s perspective, the partnership is a strategic play in positioning the nation as a premier destination for major international sporting events. Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, emphasized the event`s role as a key part of a busy season, underpinned by ongoing infrastructure development and growth in the events sector.
“The inclusion of UFC, with its fanbase of over 700 million worldwide, underscores this strategic direction and offers a unique platform to showcase Qatar’s sporting excellence and cultural richness.”
This statement points to the significant tourism and visibility benefits anticipated from hosting an organization with UFC`s global reach. Visit Qatar aims to utilize the event to demonstrate the nation`s capacity for hosting large-scale international gatherings and strengthen its global partnerships.
While there were earlier rumors circulating about a potential UFC event in Qatar around May of this year, which ultimately saw the promotion hold an event at its Las Vegas Apex facility instead, the official confirmation for November solidifies Doha`s place on the 2024 fight calendar, rewarding the anticipation of local and regional fans.
Scheduled as a UFC Fight Night, the event will feature a card yet to be announced, promising world-class mixed martial arts action for Qatari fans and international visitors alike, all unfolding within the state-of-the-art ABHA Arena. The specific matchups will undoubtedly be a focus of future announcements, but the date and location are now firmly established.
The announcement represents a notable milestone for both UFC and Qatar, promising a major sporting spectacle that continues the trend of top-tier combat sports events making their mark in the Middle East. For fans in Qatar, it marks the culmination of years of waiting, finally bringing the Octagon to Doha.
